Camping accessories to elevate your budget tent

Looking to upgrade your budget tent ahead of your next camping trip? Here’s how to elevate your gear without buying a whole new setup.

Camping accessories to elevate your budget tent

We all dream of the best for our camping trips and thru-hiking holidays, but top-brand outdoor gear comes with top-brand price tags. It’s not unheard of for the very best two-person tents to sell for upwards of £500 a pop, which is pretty unfeasible for the average camper.

Instead, most of us will take to the web in search of the best budget-friendly option on the market. And as long as you’re not attempting anything too hardcore, this is likely to be the best decision. Most budget-friendly tents will carry you through the UK camping season with no issues and will last years if cared for correctly.

So what if we said it’s possible to upgrade your cheap and cheerful camping setup without having to buy expensive gear? Here are our favourite ways to improve your tent’s performance at a price your bank account will love.

Editor’s notes

The tent is the largest expense for the majority of backpackers and campers, but it’s not always possible to invest in the best. If you’re making the most of a basic tent before an eventual upgrade there’s a handful of accessories you can use to elevate your camping experience without breaking the bank.

Reading in a hurry?

Haven’t got the time to read our recommendations in detail? Not to worry, check out our round-up of the best camping accessories to elevate your budget tent.

1. Heavy-duty tent pegs

Most budget tents are bundled with cut-rate pegs that quickly become an issue in soggy ground. To save yourself sleepless nights of pitching and re-pitching, we recommend upgrading to a set of heavy-duty tent pegs. Designed with the power to grip upon contact and hold through the night, these ensure a sturdy base no matter your campground.

For the best camping experience, make sure to check for rocks, roots, and other uneven ground before pitching. It’s also important to find a spot away from direct wind. When staking, pull your guylines out at a 45-degree angle and use a mallet to push your pegs into place. 

Heavy-duty tent pegs are more expensive than regular options but they tend to bend and break less, providing a more sustainable method to camping your way through the summer.

Sea to Summit Ground Control Tent Pegs

We recommendSea to Summit Ground Control Tent Pegs

These Sea to Summit tent pegs use strong notches to grip the turf surrounding your tent. The multi-height guy points allow you to pitch on even the rockiest of ground, where pushing each peg to full depth isn’t possible. The Ground Control pegs come with luminescent pull tabs and reflective cords for breaking camp ahead of sunrise.

2. Additional tent footprint

There’s no need to throw away your tent if you’re noticing groundsheet wear and tear. It’s no surprise that groundsheets are often the first to struggle over years of use, but this can be quickly resolved by purchasing a tent footprint. 

Not only is this a way more economical option, but it’s also better for the environment than buying a whole new tent. Simply lay a universal footprint over your groundsheet to protect it from both wear and water. This is also great for packing up, as you can keep your gear off the ground using the additional sheet.

And if you’d like to add a little warmth and comfort to your camping setup, check out tent carpets! These are definitely more of a luxury item for campsite stays, but worth it during the cooler UK months.

MSR Universal 3-Person Tent Footprint

We recommend MSR Universal 3-Person Tent Footprint

This universal footprint from MSR will fit most 3-person tents. Keep your floor clean, warm, and dry with this added layer, and enjoy greater longevity on the lifespan of your tent. This particular groundsheet measures 82 by 63 inches, but MSR has several options to fit anywhere between a 1-person and a large 6-person tent. 

3. Reflective cord guy ropes

Ever landed flat on your face after a nighttime trip to the campsite loos? Non-reflective guy ropes are not only annoying to run into but can be really dangerous, too. Save yourself the hassle of your next camping *trip* with a good line of reflective guy rope.

Upgrading to a strong nylon cord will keep your tent sturdy and prevent water absorption, stopping your guy lines from breaking down over time. The reflective nature of this rope will also help to keep your tent visible to onlookers, so you’ll never end up with an unwanted guest falling through your canvas at night.

This budget-friendly upgrade will instantly improve the strength and performance of your setup whilst preventing unwanted accidents. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to take guy line spares on every camping trip – so make sure to stock up if you haven’t already.

Robens Reflective Guy Line

We recommend Robens Reflective Guy Line

This 10m length of reflective guy line comes from Robens, a premier yet affordable European brand in the camping space. Keep the line as a spare in case of emergency, or replace your non-reflective ropes for a sturdier and safer setup. The Robens 4.5mm cord is UV and water-resistant.

4. Stake hammer 

The UK summer provides some of the very best weather for camping, but it can also result in a battle with hard and dry ground. To make life that little bit easier, we recommend packing a stake hammer for pitching. 

Use yours to safely pitch your tent, remove pegs when you’re finished, and even open a beer or two to celebrate your outdoor success. There’s a stake hammer on the market for every camper, whether you’re in need of something lightweight for thru-hiking or a hard-wearing alternative for mountaineering.

No matter the camping trip, having the right tools for the job will make everything run much smoother – leaving you with less time fighting tent pegs, and more time around the campfire. 

MSR Stake Hammer

We recommendMSR Stake Hammer

This stake hammer from MSR is one of the best in the business for lightweight campers and backpackers. Weighing in at just over 300 grams, it’s built with the perfect swinging balance, a tent peg remover good enough for the deepest stakes, and a custom bottle opener for when the job’s done.

5. Cord tensioners

Fix your guy lines without the need for knots with a good set of cord tensioners. Simply add these to your ropes and adjust as needed at any time. Cord tensioners are particularly handy in cold and wet weather conditions, as you won’t need to remove gloves or spend unnecessary time outside untying and retying knots.

Make sure to pick the best cord tensioners for your guy lines – the smaller option works best for 1.5mm to 3mm cords, locking your rope into place. For longer lines, we recommend larger, non-slip tensioners that grip cords up to 5mm. 

These budget-friendly camping tent accessories are a surefire way to decrease pitching time no matter the conditions.

MSR Camring Cord Tensioners

We recommendMSR Cord Tensioner

MSR has built some of the very best cord tensioners around, complete with their trademark ring design for easy set-up and adjustments. These super light yet rugged tensioners will quickly become your best friend when pitching in the pouring rain. 

6. Waterproofing spray

Even tents with the highest Hydrostatic Head can suffer in wet weather conditions. Dirt, high winds, and heavy rain can all contribute to a diminishing waterproof layer, so it’s important to maintain the performance of your tent by regularly applying a waterproofing spray.

We recommend waterproofing budget tents every second use to maintain performance. Make sure to pay special attention to your tent’s seams, as these are often the weakest part of the flysheet.

A full wash, proof, and dry routine will help to keep your tent working at its best, even in bad weather conditions. Read our full guide to tent waterproofing for assistance. 

Grangers Tent + Gear Repel

We recommend Grangers Tent + Gear Repel UV

Restore your tent’s water repellent finish and protect against UV rays with this fantastic Grangers Repel spray. Use the easy-application spray bottle to mist over your tent, or spot-proof when needed. This spray is also great for awnings and outdoor furniture covers.

FAQ: Camping accessories to elevate your budget tent

Have a question about our recommended camping accessories to elevate your budget tent? Check out the most popular queries below where we’ll (hopefully) cover your topic.

We recommend the Sea to Summit Ground Control Pegs, which allow you to secure your tent even when full ground penetration isn’t possible. These heavy duty pegs also have luminescent pull tabs so you can always pack up camp by sunrise.

We highly recommend using an additional footprint to prolong use of your groundsheet and prevent wear and tear. MSR has built a great universal footprint that will fit most 3-person tents.

Clean your tent using warm, soapy water before waterproofing. When your tent is wet but not soaking, apply an even layer of Grangers Tent Repel, paying particular attention to the seams. Leave the tent to completely air dry before use.

The MSR Cord Tensioners are a great way to build a sturdy pitch without trying unnecessary knots in the wet and cold.

There are plenty of ways to make your budget tent look and feel expensive without paying over the odds. We recommend upgrading your tent pegs and guy lines to start, then look into handy camping tent accessories like cord tensioners and stake hammers.

Still not managed to solve your issue? Don’t be afraid to reach out and send us a message on one of our socials – we’re always happy to help!

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